Launching Windfield Alloy in 1994 as a six-person operation, Eric Tetler has since expanded the New Hampshire company’s staff to 55 employees. Apart from his responsibilities at Windfield Alloy, Eric Tetler stays in shape by cycling.

Individuals who are getting into cycling as a form of exercise should consider purchasing a fixed gear bicycle. Fixed gear bikes, or fixies, feature drive trains that lack a freewheel mechanism. Essentially, a cyclist cannot pedal backward or coast on a fixed gear bicycle. In fact, the lack of a freewheeling mechanism pushes the pedals forward even against opposing forces, resulting in an especially thorough cardiovascular workout.

When traveling downhill on a fixed gear bike, riders must pace their decline to avoid excessive speeds; traveling uphill taxes the quads even harder. Fixed gear bikes can even improve flat ground workouts, as the easily repeated revolutions allow riders to optimize their forward motion.

Before making a purchase, individuals should speak with someone at their local bike shop to decide whether a fixed gear is the best choice for them.

Author

Since 2007, Eric Tetler has served as president of Windfield Alloy, an environmentally conscious recycling business in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He first joined the company in 1994, and 13 years later, he became its majority shareholder.